What kinds of games to people play outside?

As long as I can go outside whenever I want, I ought to learn how to enjoy it properly.

I heard him this morning. [A soft voice, full of reverence and close to tears.] Thought I was fucking dreaming, but he didn't stop his squawking until I was sure. [She gives one of those humorless laughs that's people give when they're trying not cry, breathless and embarrassed.] Shit. Am I grown woman, or what, I can handle being by myself. [Her breath hitches, there go the waterworks.] Shit. I missed his voice. I missed all their voices.

[Paderau's current crying location is this small altar she built in the woods, for those more inclined to action.]

[ - ACTION - ]

[Being a battle robot from a war/meteor/alien-torn future Earth, Lamia never has a chance to experience certain common things most would take for granted: such as trees. And squirrels. Running into animals wasn't very commonplace in THE FUTURE, especially for one who spends all her time at military bases in-between blowing things up.

...And, no, certain talking magical subterranean cats didn't count as normal animals.

So, curiosity piqued, Lamia has been trying to familiarize herself with and learn about the nature that was so alien to her but once totally normal to Earth. This begins with idly sitting by and watching the animals, but she eventually gets up to attempt to pet them; of course, being jittery forest creatures, they scurry away before she can touch them. After this happens two or three times, she sighs, crosses her arms, and leans against a tree--accidentally activating the Vine in the process.]

[ - VOICE - ]

Animals are known to have senses and instincts superior to a human's. I wonder if they can tell?

[After, she'll be going back to trying to inspect the squirrels, cats, and other ordinary animals. Feel free to comment via voice or action. Also note: Lamia's voice is identical to Signum's (brustriese), so castmates or anyone familiar enough to recognize Signum's voice feel free to mistake them.]

[ a young woman's voice comes on the Vine. she does not sound pleased. in fact, 'furious' might be a more appropriate way to describe it. ]

What is the meaning of this?! I demand an explanation! Right now! [ there is a loud, sharp CRACK!, the sound of leather hitting hard against the ground. ]

Any foolish answers will be met with a whipping! I don't want to waste my time hearing nonsense explanations!

[ she ends this with another CRACK!, to emphasize her point. ]

Hey, Minako-chan, did you make it through that blizzard alright? Let me know, I've been a bit worried about you.

I'd say something about the weather outside being frightful, but it seems like a grand understatement.

But it would be fit that Heaven comes with a fair helping of Hell. Unseen terror, indeed.

This sucks. I can't believe I'm spending my Christmas in an empty room with a psychobitch midget. I don't care what freakish parallel dimension you're from, it is not okay to give guns to twelve-tear-olds unless you're watching them. And I'm not playing baby-sitter.

At least the gods of fucking my life up decided to give us some food, finally. I mean, no food, and no Cheerios practice? I feel dead already.

And Britt, Merry Christmas. That is, if you haven't been eaten by shadow demon things.

[The audio on the Vine is...a little more distorted than usual for this message. But that's definitely the Queen's voice coming out of it. Singing.]

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days
Of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us
Once more.

Through the years,
We all will be together
If the Fates allow.
Hang a shining star upon
The highest bough,
And have yourself a merry little...

I forget...how does it go?

Oh, it's so dark out. Won't you help me in these dark days, my darlings?

[She sounds distraught. And the snow begins to pile up...]

[Instead of doing the smart thing and asking for information first on Vine, Asuka decides to explore around herself. Her journey brings her to the Arcade. Surely, she figures that she could get a connection to NERV and they would send a private plane to bring back home.

... The "getting connection" part isn't going very well. Painfully described as we hear Asuka kicking against one of the game machines.]

--This is so stupid! Don't tell me that technology around here is useless too! [And she finally notices the Vine is on.]

... Oh, how long has this thing been on? Well, whatever! The Queen or whoever is behind this is going to have to answer to me. If this really is a network, then some information behind this place would be... appreciated. But if it's not any help, then I'm cutting you off.

[There are noises--shuffling mainly. The video feed takes a while to pop up, but when it does, it reveals a girl with bright pink hair and blue eyes. It looks as if she is still wearing the white shift, but she has, at the least, put her uniform jacket on over it. She looks startled at the appearance of the mirror, and stumbles backward a bit.]

O-oi! Geez...this is really weird. Weirder than usual. I guess that stuff in the scroll was right... [she briefly looks annoyed, and mutters to herself:] Is this another trick?

[Her expression sobers.] I still don't get what's going on but...my name is Utena Tenjou. I'm sure this place is nice, but I have to get back to Ohtori, right away! Himemiya, she--

[She trails off, and looks troubled:] I need to get home.

I am alive. I am myself. Why?

[Rustling. Slow, measured.]

I have never worn this clothing. I have never seen these forms of plant life. It is unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. Am I meant to remain here?

[The girl's voice is soft and slightly monotone, and though it becomes even quieter now, her tone doesn't change at all.]

Ikari... is this...

[She must have made some sort of subtle gesture again, brushed against the Vine as she got up to walk, because out pops that mirror to reveal the speaker abruptly turning her head in its direction. It would be perfectly normal for her to react with visible fear or anger right about here, but that's not happening. All you get is one blink, two blinks, silence, followed by the slightest narrowing of eyes.]

Who are you.

[ooc | doot doot doot i'm gonna crash into bed shortly but just wanted to get this posted, so heads-up.]

This is the strangest-- well one of the strangest things I've ever seen! I never thought I would see a megaphone sprout out of vine like this!

I wonder if... [she speaks softly to the vine, asking for some way to show herself to those who are listening]

[and then there's a bright smile of a young girl]

Oh! I guess everyone can see me now right? That's pretty amazing!

Ah! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Minako Arisato. [she lifts up her hand in a polite greeting]. I am a bit confused though... [she rubs the back of her head sheepishly] How did we get here? I remember going to sleep and having a pretty weird dream-- Though I guess it wasn't a dream after all, seeing as how I'm here. I am worried though, considering what's been going on back home.

Maybe someone out there knows something more? I'd really appreciate the help!

[The voice post starts in the middle of what seems to be a moment of desperation. The panicked gasps that could be heard are almost immediately stifled once she realizes that something from this Vine-thing has appeared. There seems to be muffled conversation for a moment or two before a voice -- clear, demanding, and only slightly trembling -- comes up.]

... Hello. I don't know who is listening to this, but I am following the advice of this feline I encountered... so as idiotic as this seems...

But that is unimportant for the time being! The cat has nothing to offer in terms of information on how to leave this place, so I have no choice but to ask the inhabitants here. I want out of this place.

If the "Queen of Hearts" herself is listening to this, I must decline your invitation. I have no wish to be in this place you have kidnapped me into. You have no right to take me from my world! No right!

[She can't keep the franticness from appearing in her voice this time.]

How dare you try to separate us... how dare you...!?

It's not everyday that I find myself in a fancy garden like this after wandering around the desert.

[An amused but somewhat hollow laugh]

So, where's this mysterious Queen? Anyone ever tell her it's not polite to kidnap people?

I've got some business to take care of back home. So let her royal Highness know I'll be leaving, now. But, hey, she's got good taste in decorating.

Huh. So I get a vacation... guess Iggy took all my bitchin' seriously...

[A tall redhead wandering the garden, completely at ease considering her new surroundings, considering she hadn't really consented to this 'vacation'. Not the strangest thing that's ever happened to her, and there's nothing dangerous yet.]

Woulda been nice if he'd told me about this little furlough beforehand. [She swallows.] This place is... pretty damn gorgeous. Makes a lady think about never leaving. I think there's definitely somethin' missing though. Lost my cigarettes somewhere between here and there.

[The dress reminds her of more ceremonial garb, she doesn't mind it, but its lack of pockets definitely means she's got no cigarettes.]

Somebody help a sister out here.



[ooc: Hi, I'm Vee, here's Paderau's app for those interested.]

[There's fumbling on Taiga's end, as if she hasn't realised it's recording yet]

Stupid place, I'll snatch those birds out of the sky and have Ryuuj-- ...Hnn.  I bet he's not even taking advantage of being able to talk to Minorin, that stupid mongrel.  Do I have to do everything for him?

...

A, ah?!  I, i, it heard me?  Oi!  If you're my captor, you better... you better let me out before I rip your limbs off, one by one!  Yes, you'll make a delicious soup, and I'll feed the extra to the dogs.  And give me back my clothes, this dress is disgusting!

This whole mistletoe thing is awfully awkward. I didn't think anyone actually followed that tradition. At least back home you heard a lot about it but I've never actually seen anyone use it as decoration. It's all even more awkward when you consider...

Uh. I guess it doesn't matter much. That isn't the point of my addressing whoever might be listening but I have a small project I'd like to try. Well, several actually, but the first would be to try and make a billboard of some sort that new arrivals can check? It seems new people are coming in each and every day and we all know how confusing it can be so I'm trying to compile information on this place and our...hosts.

So if anyone knows anything, or if anyone would like to help me with that please let me know. Maybe bit by bit we can piece together this puzzle and find a way to get back home.

Calm down. Calm down, Ami! You have this under control. I-

[notices that the Vine is ready for her input, and she clears her throat softly to speak]

H-hello, everyone! Ami's having a little trouble understanding the situation. This- this is surely some kind of prank?

I'm talking to a plant. This is so stupid. But what other choice do I have?

It's really clever! Ami hasn't been tricked so well in a long time.

[A pause. This just can't be real. And she stomps away from the Vine to cool off for a second.]

[Tonight on the voice part of the vine, there is the voice of one Alice Margatroid. It is clear from her tone that she is not pleased.]

This library is useless, it shouldn't even be called one. After giving brief looks to most of what was inside, all I saw was poetry and biographies. Along with... other material. But not a single magic tome, grimoire or even simple notes. A library is supposed to have a wealth of knowledge, not simply be a holding house for two or three kinds of literature!

Even a simple story book would have tided me over for a small amount of time, but there was not even one of those. I can hardly believe this...